Toussaint L'Ouverture believed in the equality of mankind. Through his belligerent attempts to free the enslaved, he put a dent on Napoleon's rise of power. He made sacrifices, including his own life, for the betterment of his people and hoped the future would be brighter than the ordeals he had to face in his lifetime. The freedom he showed his people while he lived gave them the strength to keep fighting for it, even in the face of Napoleon. He is now considered a symbol of liberty.
Background
He was born as Toussaint Breda but is more commonly known throughout the world as "Toussaint L'Ouverture" or "Black Napoleon". Though historians are not definitive on his actual birthday, they have concluded he was most likely born on May 20, 1743; however, his birthdate may be anymore around 1743 - 1746. His childhood was typical for an African in Haiti: growing up in an enslaved family. He was the oldest of eight children. To his advantage, he was granted a privilege very few slaves were able to grasp: learning to read and write. He grew up on Count de Breda's plantation on the island of Haiti. His father, Gaou-Guinou was most likely a member of the Arrada tribe and had been deported from Africa to work on this sugar plantation. To compensate for learning the evil tendencies of white men, he found solace in Roman Catholicism.
To gain some happiness in the face of slavery, he married another slave named Suzan. She came into the marriage with her son Placide; he was adopted by Toussaint immediately thereafter. Toussaint found a silver lining in enslavement, working in the field side by side with his wife. Eventually, he started to work more as a house servant and a coachman.
Rising To Career
Through the ability to read and write, Toussaint enjoyed the readings of French Enlightenment philosophers. One he procured and found the most interesting was the works of Raynal. Through his writings, Toussaint realized slavery was immoral and his rights were being stripped from his bare hands.
Haiti was not a politically stable French colony. There was a revolution brewing in France which occured in 1789. Being owned by France, slaves sent to Haiti were also feeling the need to fight for their freedom. Effected by the same French Enlightenment thinkers Toussaint read of, revolutionaries in Haiti felt the need to get rid of slavery. Sensing the impending slave revolt destined to happen, Toussaint made sure his master's family was safe. He sent them out of the country to ensure none of them got hurt from the insurrection.
The revolutionaries in French eventually took back their say on slavery due to pressure from plantation owners. Consequently, the slaves took action in 1791. Not having to worry about his loved ones, Toussaint enrolled himself into Biassou's forces. He did not fight in the front. Rather, he played a role as doctor and gave his help by using his intelligence: tactical and strategic planning.
Around 1793, Toussaint grew in influence and led his own band of force apart from Biassou. These revolting slaves compromised with the Spanish and with their backing, took control of part of Haiti. Toussaint went through a series of attack which he deemed as "L'Ouverture". Evidently, the name stuck on him. The revolts died down eventually and many of the black leaders escaped to the Spanish part of Haiti. Toussaint, however, stayed on in the French side, once again returning to French aid.
It soon turned for the good. The monarchy of France finally became a republic. On February 4, 1974, the National Assembly made a decision to abolish slavery in Haiti. This was the main reason why Toussaint switched back to the French. They were the only country who did something about slavery for Spain did nothing as they promised and England continued to instate slavery where ever they held colonies. For Toussaint's aid, Napoleon designated him as Commander-in-Chief in Haiti.
"Calling"
To start off his career, he mustered up an army to advanced against the Spanish. He was able to drive them out of Haiti with the help of the Treaty of Basel. After he was done dealing with Spain, he went on with another army to drive out the British.
Toussaint was able to put black men in political positions by getting the white officials assignments in France. His power reached far, even getting the governor to leave and putting a black man named Raymond. However, it was not merely based on color of skin. He picked new officials based on their ability to get the work done the best. There was social reform and racial discrimination was no more dominant in the country. Though he did many things for the country, such as constructing roads and making schools for black children, he had some problems with the black population. He had agreed to let plantation owners to come back and let the Africans to work for them again as long as there was payment. However, the Africans were not happy with this arrangement and Toussaint's nephew led a revolt. Though Toussaint was able to subdue this, another set of revolts were against him: the mulattos led by General Rigaud. To stop this force, he went to the Americans for help, compromising to deny France the use of Haiti as a stepping stone to get to America in exchange for help against the mulattos.
The End
There was peace in Haiti and Toussaint went on to write the country a constitution that stated equality and his role as governor for life. This would not last for Napoleon was enraged by this thought. Napoleon sent an army to Haiti in January of 1802 to stop Toussaint under a fake term of peace. Toussaint, knowing better, rallied up his own army and a bloody battle ensued. Toussaint was seen lucky considering the French camp was riddled with smallpox. However, Toussaint's army finally wore down and he reluctantly accepted a peace treaty on May 5, 1802. They would let Haiti it's independence as long as Toussaint retires.
Napoleon set up a meeting with Toussaint, stating it will be under safe conduct. He connivingly took back his word and arrested Toussaint. He was then transported to France where he was locked up in a dungeon at Fort-de-Joux doomed by neglection. He eventually died on April 7, 1803 by apoplexy, pneumonia, and starvation.
Bibliography
Beard, John. "Toussaint L'Ouverture: A Biography and Autobiography." Documenting the American South. 2004. University of North Carolina. 14 Feb 2008 <http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/beard63/beard63.html>.
To gain some happiness in the face of slavery, he married another slave named Suzan. She came into the marriage with her son Placide; he was adopted by Toussaint immediately thereafter. Toussaint found a silver lining in enslavement, working in the field side by side with his wife. Eventually, he started to work more as a house servant and a coachman.
Haiti was not a politically stable French colony. There was a revolution brewing in France which occured in 1789. Being owned by France, slaves sent to Haiti were also feeling the need to fight for their freedom. Effected by the same French Enlightenment thinkers Toussaint read of, revolutionaries in Haiti felt the need to get rid of slavery. Sensing the impending slave revolt destined to happen, Toussaint made sure his master's family was safe. He sent them out of the country to ensure none of them got hurt from the insurrection.
The revolutionaries in French eventually took back their say on slavery due to pressure from plantation owners. Consequently, the slaves took action in 1791. Not having to worry about his loved ones, Toussaint enrolled himself into Biassou's forces. He did not fight in the front. Rather, he played a role as doctor and gave his help by using his intelligence: tactical and strategic planning.
Around 1793, Toussaint grew in influence and led his own band of force apart from Biassou. These revolting slaves compromised with the Spanish and with their backing, took control of part of Haiti. Toussaint went through a series of attack which he deemed as "L'Ouverture". Evidently, the name stuck on him. The revolts died down eventually and many of the black leaders escaped to the Spanish part of Haiti. Toussaint, however, stayed on in the French side, once again returning to French aid.
It soon turned for the good. The monarchy of France finally became a republic. On February 4, 1974, the National Assembly made a decision to abolish slavery in Haiti. This was the main reason why Toussaint switched back to the French. They were the only country who did something about slavery for Spain did nothing as they promised and England continued to instate slavery where ever they held colonies. For Toussaint's aid, Napoleon designated him as Commander-in-Chief in Haiti.
Toussaint was able to put black men in political positions by getting the white officials assignments in France. His power reached far, even getting the governor to leave and putting a black man named Raymond. However, it was not merely based on color of skin. He picked new officials based on their ability to get the work done the best. There was social reform and racial discrimination was no more dominant in the country. Though he did many things for the country, such as constructing roads and making schools for black children, he had some problems with the black population. He had agreed to let plantation owners to come back and let the Africans to work for them again as long as there was payment. However, the Africans were not happy with this arrangement and Toussaint's nephew led a revolt. Though Toussaint was able to subdue this, another set of revolts were against him: the mulattos led by General Rigaud. To stop this force, he went to the Americans for help, compromising to deny France the use of Haiti as a stepping stone to get to America in exchange for help against the mulattos.
Napoleon set up a meeting with Toussaint, stating it will be under safe conduct. He connivingly took back his word and arrested Toussaint. He was then transported to France where he was locked up in a dungeon at Fort-de-Joux doomed by neglection. He eventually died on April 7, 1803 by apoplexy, pneumonia, and starvation.
Brainard, Jennifer. "Toussaint L'Ouverture." 2003. History Wiz. 14 Feb 2008 <http://www.historywiz.org/toussaint.htm>.
"History of Haiti - Toussaint L'Ouverture." Traveling Haiti. 2008. 14 Feb 2008 <http://www.travelinghaiti.com/history_of_haiti/toussaint_louverture.asp>.
Nosotro, Rit. "L'Ouverture, Toussaint." Hyperhistory. 21 Feb 2008. Hyperhistory. 14 Feb 2008 <http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b4louverturetoussaint.htm>.